Fearful.

Our dog, Crosby, is a bit of a hot mess.  Some would say he fits in perfect with our family, which is pretty much the truth.  When we adopted him, he had been rescued from an abusive home.  We aren’t sure what happened there, but we do know that whatever it was, it left him fearful of pretty much everything and everyone.  I mean he gets scared of rugs, y’all – bless his heart.

I’ve never been a dog person, so I find it funny that God gave me one that would steal my heart.  That dog loves me so much that on days I can’t move well, if I call him over to my side of the bed, he knows I need help.  He simply turns around so I can grab hold of his collar and he proceeds to pull me out of bed.  God is THAT good to give me an animal to show His all encompassing  love through. And sometimes, He uses that pup to teach me a much needed lesson.

While visiting family, our cousins noticed that Crosby hadn’t eaten since we arrived, despite his food dish being full.  We had been there for two days and he hadn’t touched it.  When they asked why he hadn’t eaten yet, I explained that he was too scared to eat.  His surroundings had changed and he wasn’t used to the new environment yet.  “But he must be so hungry!”, my sweet cousin responded.  And I, being the expert of this quirky dog, reply, “Yes, but his fear trumps his hunger every time”.

The moment those words flowed so freely from my lips, my sweet Savior pressed into my heart.

I, too, know deep-rooted fear.  I, too, get paralyzed by the hauntings of the past.  I, too, will let my heart starve instead of facing that fear.  But when we allow that fear to overtake our hearts, we can miss out on all that God is trying to usher us towards.

Sometimes our hearts are crying out for peace, in the midst of a hard-fought battle.  Other times, God may be gently nudging us to step out on faith and trek down a new, uncut path.  And then there are times when simply laying down that fear time after time, is the next rung on that ladder of trust our hearts are needing to take.

Have you been there?  Are you hungry for what only Jesus can bring, yet waver when He reveals the next step?

Lord, how many times have I been hungry and called out to you, only to be too afraid of the answer to move?  Sadly, too many.   I hunger for Your words and Your ways, yet fear, too easily, keeps me from the callings the seeking brings. Open my plugged ears to Your calling and thaw my frozen feet to swiftly follow Your paths.  Jesus, today, may we not only have a fresh desire for YOUR Bread of Life, but may we not FEAR the paths You are revealing to us.  May we put our total trust in You and not be so afraid to move, that we miss out on our role in growing Your Kingdom.  Move in us, Jesus.  Stir in us, Savior.  Change us, our gracious and mighty Conqueror. Let faith trump our fear, and peace fill it’s place.  We ask all these things in your precious and mighty name.  Amen.

When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.  Psalm 56:3

* Don’t worry – Crosby eventually stopped shaking and ate his food.  He is happily sleeping next to me now, resting in the presence of his master.  Just as I am happily resting in mine.

– Jodi